the reluctant meal

# STUBBORN Ming Yao suffered from severe insomnia. In her last life, she had even died because of it. Coming back to life once more, she woke up to a moody tyrant husband by her side. The man threw divorce papers at her. “Sign it! We’re getting a divorce!”Ming Yao signed the agreement without a word. However, she regretted it in less than a night. She realized that she still suffered from severe insomnia in this life. No medicine could cure her, and the only thing that made her fall asleep was her husband’s clear, crisp breathing. Everyone said that Madam Gu loved Fourth Master Gu. Even though she was abused all day long, she still treated him like her first love. Until one day, Ming Yao finally developed a drug for her insomnia. At the banquet, she held a superstar’s arm with a bright smile, then threw divorce papers at Gu Siye.“Mr. Gu, the papers have been signed. From now on, we’ll have nothing to do with each other!” Fourth Master Gu tore up the papers on the spot. He shoved her into a corner, his eyes sharp. “It’s fine if you want to leave, but return what you stole first!” “What did I steal?” “My heart!”Everyone ridiculed Ming Yao for being ignorant, incompetent, and frivolous. They waited for Fourth Master Gu to kick her out. Some media outlets boldly revealed that Ming Yao was dating the number one hacker in the world. The number one hacker: “Who spread such rumors? That’s my master!” Not long after, the media revealed that Ming Yao entered and left the same hotel as a luxury designer. The number one designer: “She’s my boss.” Seeing the woman dating different men every day, Fourth Master Gu was furious. He bit the woman’s lips and declared to the whole world, “Mrs. Gu belongs to me! Who dares to spread baseless scandals again?!”

Why does the King want to take the daughter of a country noble as his bride? Aren't there so many other women more qualified to marry him??? It has been a few months since the second Prince conquered the throne through a path of blood. One of his first decrees states he will marry the daughter of Duke Bursio, Veronica. Yet, the girl is more than unwilling. And not only because of the ferocious reputation of the young tyrant. She has a secret to keep, and becoming the Queen of Alba would be a risk she's reluctant to take. She is the Princess of Mages. Her powers shall be hidden, for the church persecutes anyone with some affinity with magical arts. Avoiding the King's orders is impossible until she comes up with a plan: she can't get married twice, right? As such, she just has to find another man that will accept her and perform the sacred ceremony before the King has the chance to get his hands on her. The guard at her door, Ignis, seems just the perfect person. They knew each other as children, and this unexpected reunion looks like the last opportunity fate has to offer. WARNING: smut. The cover is mine. Don't use it without permission. *** From the story: I bend lower, approaching his lips. I keep a close distance from our mouths so that they don't touch, but not enough to avoid my breath tickling him when I talk. «Can you swear you won't complain no matter what I do?» «I can. I won't fight back against you, Veronica. I swear it on my honour and my life.» «That's so tempting, you know? Letting me do whatever I want...» I pull the side of the shirt apart, detaching the two buttons I forgot to undo. «Are you sure I'm a little lamb who won't take advantage of your offer?» I place a digit on his chest, making sure he feels the nail pressing. Since he doesn't react, I scratch him. Not too deep, just enough to make him realise I'm not joking. No reaction at all. Not even a frown. Not a single word. «Oh, I'm ready to test your honour tonight,» I whisper, dragging my hand on his stomach. *** Chat with the author! Discord: bit.ly/discordxiaohai Instagram and Facebook: xiaohai_23 Kofi: ko-fi.com/xiaohai_23 My other works: - Crazy Duke and Fallen Queen (historical romance, completed) - Destined: the Vampire's Soulmate (fantasy romance, completed) - Unexpected Gift (sci-fi romance, ongoing, free)

Betrayed. Beaten. Buried. Until she wakes up - alive, angry, and done being obedient. This time, Sabrina won't beg for love. She'll take back her pride, expose their lies, and burn every bridge that once held her down. But her cold, controlling husband Cassian doesn't plan to let go. A diamond mine? Hers. A fortune? Hers. Freedom? Never. When she demands a divorce, he offers power. When she says he's not enough, he shows her just how wrong she is. She was once their victim. Now, she's their reckoning.

After being hit by a bus, Edward is sent to another world and forced to complete a mission to save it, something he successfully accomplishes. But just as he is about to enjoy his well-deserved life as a hero, a cosmic mistake made by the goddess sends him back to Earth. On the very same day, while saving his sister, Edward gets hit by a bus once again, ending up in front of the goddess for the second time. Now, after accepting another reincarnation, he takes the goddess with him to a new world, seeking nothing more than a quiet and peaceful life. However, he soon discovers that his fate is tied to that of a useless protagonist from a web novel who needs to be saved, completely complicating his plans for a peaceful life. “Well, killing all the villains is the easiest way to do that.”

In a world ruled by magic crystals, Luther Isan is anything but ordinary. After a twist of fate throws him into the pages of the dreadful novel Magic Crystals Reign Supreme—a book he loathes with all his heart—he awakens inside the body of a character so minor he appeared only once and was promptly forgotten. But fate has other plans. To his horror, Luther discovers he possesses a power long thought impossible: the ability to wield magic without the aid of a crystal. A gift so rare, it sparks fear, awe, and suspicion in equal measure. When he accidentally saves the novel’s protagonist, Luther is mistaken for the “Child of the Gods” and proclaimed as the world’s saint. Suddenly, every faction wants a piece of him—while all he wants is to run far, far away. Armed with nothing but sarcasm, bad luck, and a desperate wish to escape, Luther is dragged into idiotic situations, endless misunderstandings, and world-saving duties he never signed up for. And to make things worse, the true protagonists of the book have now been ordered to guard him at all costs. Can a man who just wants peace survive being the most “important” person alive? Or will the world’s fate be doomed… because their so-called saint is the ultimate reluctant hero?

Synopsis In the quaint village of Turnipton, Marcus Griddle is a humble farmer with a simple life: tending to crops, avoiding chicken escapades, and enjoying the quiet. But everything changes when a mysterious voice from the sky informs him he has been chosen as the Hero of Light, tasked with defeating a Dark Lord and saving the world. Reluctantly thrust into a heroic role, Marcus discovers he possesses a quirky "Hero System" that insists he begin his journey immediately—complete with a shiny sword, a mothball-scented cloak, and boots that reflect his bewildered expression. As he grapples with threats to his farming productivity and the absurdity of his situation, Marcus sets out on an adventure that challenges his notions of heroism. With a blend of humor, unexpected challenges, and the unlikeliest of allies, Marcus learns that heroes can come in all shapes and sizes. Join him as he navigates a world of magic, mayhem, and self-discovery, all while trying to save his beloved turnips.

Kaelen accidentally becomes the “hero” after saving a village from a powerful sorceress who was testing a curse there. After that, he gains his Wrath Points system, with cryptic messages telling him he’s been “chosen to unite the kingdom” or some other nonsense he tries hard to ignore. However, as his abilities grow, so does the attention he gets from unusual allies—many of whom are attractive women who develop…mixed feelings about him.

"Two Alphas. One Prophecy. A battle between an Obsessed Stalker and Fated Mate." Cael never wanted to be alpha. He just wanted freedom, to find his mate and live a normal life. But when his father was betrayed and killed, Cael had no choice but to fight and take his place. Now trapped in endless battles to protect his business empire and pack land, which happened to be rich with the coveted moonstone, he has become cold, untrusting, and ruthless, which isolated him from his pack and friends. But when fate brings Elisa into his life, everything changes; something about her stirs all the longing he’s spent years burying to become a successful alpha. Elisa, an omega with a suppressed wolf, has always felt different. Hidden and overprotected by her parents, she doesn’t know that a prophecy ties her to unimaginable power. After an attempt on her life, she joins the Silverclaw Pack under Cael’s protection. With danger lurking in the shadows and an adopted sister who may or may not possess supernatural abilities, she begins to uncover truths about herself—and confusing feelings for the cold alpha that protects her. But Cael isn’t the only one that wants Elisa. Dante, a ruthless alpha hiding his wolf, has spent years stalking her. He knows about her powers, not just that he believes she is the one he loves, his future Luna, and will stop at nothing to claim her, even if it means tearing her away from the one man who may be her soulmate. When an unplanned pregnancy rips Cael and Eli apart, Dante steps in, offering comfort when she feels hurt and betrayed. Two alphas compete for her heart—only one can earn her trust. Will Cael manage to open his heart in time to save Elisa? Or will he give Dante a chance to claim her? Dive into a world of love, secrecy, and betrayal.

An erotic romance When Elna's father first suggests an arranged marriage between her and Brandon Stark-the hot British billionaire-she is reluctant to go on a date with the man. On realising the dire state of their family business and the stress it puts on her beloved parents, Elna makes the bold decision to go ahead with it. Her family comes first. What she expects is a cold, cordial marriage. What she hopes is for their relationship to eventually lead to something more, as was the case with her parents. Ambitious go-getter that she is, Elna takes it upon herself to make her calm, controlling, anti-romance husband fall helplessly in love with her. But what she doesn't expect is to be drawn into Brandon's BDSM world of chains and whips, doms and subs. Will Brandon's love be more than Elna can handle?

18+ mature content "What are you doing?" I shouted as the huge man ripped off my engagement ring from my finger. "No!" I screamed as he threw away the diamond ring. "You are mine! Do you understand? Only mine!" His gorgeous green eyes bore into mine. "Never! I reject....." I never completed the sentence, his mouth was on mine, capturing my lips into a punishing kiss. Alice has her life all sorted, she has a good job, a wonderful fiance. Apart from a little secret, she was a werewolf, her life was in her control. After losing her parents in a rough attack she had been sent away to live with her aunt, a keeper. Alice was what one would call an urban werewolf who had no intention of finding her mate. But things didn't turn out as expected when the most handsome, powerful and dangerous Alpha of US claimed her as his mate. With her wolf in the heat but her mind warning her against the union. How will she resist being his Luna?